Thursday, April 17, 2014

Vikings' Samuda Out With Gruesome Ankle Injury

Even when there are no-contact workouts, athletes can still get seriously injured. 
This happened Tuesday at the Minnesota Vikings' workout at Winter Park. Reserve guard Josh Samuda suffered a dislocated ankle and a broken fibula during a blocking drill. Samuda had to be carried off the field by teammates. 
According to the Minnesota Star-Tribune the 25 year old offensive lineman will have surgery next Wednesday. 
This is not good news for Samuda, who is in his first year with the Vikings after signing a reserve/future contract with the team in January. The 6-foot-3, 310 pound lineman was undrafted out of the University of Massachusetts in 2012. Samuda last played 16 games for the Miami Dolphins during the 2012 season and had no contract with a team for the 2013 season.
A dislocated ankle happens when a sudden force on the ankle causes the ankle to bend beyond its normal range, tearing and damaging the soft tissue. Typically the bones of the ankle will move out of their normal position, causing the dislocation.
For this injury to occur, there has to be a tremendous amount of force or trauma. It can be a common injury in contact sports, like hockey or rugby, or in sports that use rapid directional changes, like football.
Symptoms of an ankle dislocation include immediate pain which spreads to the calf and lower leg. Patients are usually unable to bear any weight on the injured ankle. Swelling and tenderness will also be present, as well as the foot looking out of place. Some patients will experience a loss of blood flow to the area, causing the foot to appear blue or white. Other patients will complain on numbness or a pins and needles sensation in the foot. 
Immediately follow the injury the patient should use the R.I.C.E. method- rest, ice, compression, and elevation to minimize swelling and inflammation. Anti-inflammatory medications may help with the pain and inflammation. 
Once a diagnosis has been reached by a podiatrist, they will attempt to relocate the bone to its normal position. Surgery is often needed to stabilize this injury with screws or plates. After, your podiatrist will recommend complete immobilization of the affected limb to allow the tendons and bone to heal properly. 
References: CBS Sports and Twin Cities
If you are a football player with a foot or ankle problem, call our Rocky Hill or Middletown office to make an appointment.
Jeffrey S. Kahn, DPM
Connecticut Foot Care Centers
Sports Medicine Podiatrist in CT
Podiatrist in Rocky Hill and Middletown, CT
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